Can of Worms
Catastrophe!
How do we evaluate if something rises up to a catastrophe? In this mini catastrophe, co-host Carlos Phoenix and Emilie Fournier explore computer security and threats to our global infrastructure. They explore the virus/worm Stuxnet and how the United States used it in cyber espionage and attack against Iran's nuclear enrichment plant Natanz. This opened the door for the risk of weaponizing cyber attacks against global infrastructure. Will we convince you that this computer virus attack is a catastrophe?
info_outline
Raving Mad
Catastrophe!
How do we evaluate if something rises up to a catastrophe? This mini catastrophe explores rabies and whether its impact to humans and our pets rises to a level of catastrophe.
info_outline
No Prospect of an End
Catastrophe!
The second half of our season finale on climate change. It's the single greatest threat in our lifetime. It's the catastrophic global Dust Bowl of the 21st century and beyond. We answer listener questions and give some pointers about how to take action in your life.
info_outline
No Vestige of a Beginning
Catastrophe!
Climate change is the single greatest threat in our lifetime. It's the catastrophic global Dust Bowl of the 21st century and beyond. Cutting through the jargon and myths is essential if we want to stop this disaster-in-motion.
info_outline
Alpha & Omega
Catastrophe!
In the late 1980s, oil and gas production were common in the North Sea, off the coast of Scotland. Rig workers were accustomed to long hours in harsh conditions, but nothing could have prepared the men working on Piper Alpha for the catastrophic series of events that took the lives of nearly three-quarters of the crew one July night.
info_outline
Do No Harm
Catastrophe!
The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was a 40-year lesson in how not to conduct medical research on human subjects. Sadly, it wasn't the only episode where the United States and its government researchers neglected ethical obligations to participants in experiments. The Guatemala Experiments were a ghastly violation of patient rights, and serve as a stark reminder of why we need someone to watch the watchmen.
info_outline
De Havilland's Comet
Catastrophe!
Air travel has been a dream of humanity since our earliest ancestors gazed up to the heavens. From an earthbound species just over 100 years ago, to thousands of airliners cruising the skies daily, our journey to the sky has been complicated.
info_outline
Lions & Tigers & Bears
Catastrophe!
Species have evolved, flourished, and died off for eons. It's only within the last few millennia that humans have been responsible for wiping entire species off the face of the planet.
info_outline
Guns, God, and the United States Government
Catastrophe!
In 1993, a fringe religious group with apocalyptic beliefs and a charismatic leader who abused children and called himself the Son of God put the town of Waco, Texas on the map.
info_outline
Eternal, Infernal Flame
Catastrophe!
A devastating underground fire deep within the coal deposits of Pennsylvania has been burning for 57 years. Started by accident, it grew into a monstrosity that drove an entire town into oblivion.
info_outlineIn the summer of 1971, the Middle East was hit with a devastating drought. In an effort to provide its people with food, the Iraqi government purchased 95,000 tonnes of grain from North America. Despite the good intentions, this grain would injure over 6,000 people and kill 459 officially, while more realistic estimates put the casualties at ten times those numbers.
The grain that proved so deadly to Iraqi families wasn't meant to be eaten at all. A special coating applied to the grain was intended to protect it from rot while in transit. The coating was safe for grain that would be planted, but toxic if used to make bread, or feed animals. Governments around the world were aware of this risk, but in 1971 few had actually passed legislation to prevent the kind of poisoning that scarred Iraq forever.